N’Keal Harry could be Baltimore Ravens’ next Anquan Boldin?

It’s no secret why Baltimore Ravens fans like N’Keal Harry so much as a prospect. He could be their next Anquan Boldin like player if they take him with the 22nd overall pick:

Comparing receivers to Anquan Boldin is getting old, because it seems to be the go to player comp for the Ravens Flock. Sometimes it’s accurate, sometimes it isn’t and because it is an overused player comparison, I tend to avoid it. It is however impossible to ignore how similar N’Keal Harry is to a young Anquan Boldin.

Boldin played for the Florida State Seminoles. In his last year of college football he put up 65 receptions for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged over 15 yards per reception and he was known as a big physical receiver who could win when the football was up for grabs.

N’Keal Harry had 73 receptions for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. He averaged 14.9 yards per reception and like Boldin his game is more about coming down with the contested catch than it was about creating separation from defensive backs.

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It’s rare that two players look exactly the same on tape, but Harry is almost a spitting image.

The Ravens needed a player like Boldin for the longest time because it was Joe Flacco’s kind of target. Flacco always liked to take shots to receivers he could trust to come down with the football. Lamar Jackson, who needs to work on his accuracy, could use the same kind of target.

Jackson stayed in the pocket and tried to remain a passer in his rookie season, far more than the highlight reels suggest. He didn’t just take off and run. Jackson could use a receiver he has a connection with. He could use a passing partner he can trust unconditionally to make plays. Boldin was the guy for Flacco. Harry could be the man for the job in the Jackson era.

The Ravens brought in Boldin well after he was an established star in the NFL. Harry has a chance to be what Boldin was as a young receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. The Ravens have never filled the Boldin void since the Super Bowl run. Steve Smith Sr. was a nice piece but he was a different kind of player. If they take him at 22 Harry could give the Ravens the closest thing they will ever get to another Boldin.